The symptoms of cirrhosis emerge in the last stages of the disease. The skin might turn yellow. Pain can occur in the upper right side of the abdomen. Fluid can distend the abdomen.

Medicines for sclerosing cholangitis get less than rave reviews. Actigall can lessen a patient's distress. Cholestyramine stops intolerable itching. Vitamin D and calcium preserve bone strength that often deteriorates with cirrhosis.

Tubes snaked through the opening of the bile duct into the small intestine can facilitate bile drainage. Surgery can unplug the ducts. Neither is necessarily a permanent solution.

Sclerosing cholangitis qualifies for liver transplantation.

Dear Dr. Donohue: Awhile back a reader asked you how likely it is to become pregnant while on birth control pills. You answered, ``highly unlikely.'' But you didn't mention that taking antibiotics can nullify the effects of the birth control pill. That was a shock to me, since the gynecologist had told me no such thing. Is this true? _ E.B.

Dear E.B.: Reports that antibiotics interfere with birth control pills have trickled in for many years now. Ampicillin, tetracycline and sulfa drugs are the most commonly cited offenders. Although the chances of becoming pregnant while on antibiotics and birth control pills are small, to be on the safe side alternative methods of contraception are advised while taking both medicines.

Dear Dr. Donohue: I saw an advertisement for saw palmetto, which is supposed to shrink the prostate gland. What is your opinion of saw palmetto? _ D.O.C.

Dear D.O.C.: The pills have an effect a little like that of the approved medicine for prostate shrinking _ finasteride. It might work. It might not. Results have been inconsistent.